Many of the best-known American songs have been written by Jews--including many Christmas songs.

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American Jews were tremendously active in music in the first half of the 20th century.

According to a study of American musicians published in 1933, at a time when Jews comprised less than 4 percent of the total United States population, 36 percent of the players in American “amusement orchestras” were Jews. And in the string sections, the numbers were twice as high! In the world of arts and entertainment, superior talent sometimes overcame racial prejudice.

Irving Berlin (seated) with stars of the film “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” in 1938. (Wikimedia Commons)

Famous American Christmas Songs Written by Jews

– “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow” by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne

– “Silver Bells” by Livingston and Evans

– “The Christmas Song” (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) by Mel Torme

Famous Jewish Musicians Who Changed Their Names

– Hyman Arluck became Harold Arlen

– Izzy Baline became Irving Berlin

– Asa Yoelson became Al Jolson

– Avrohom Arshawsky became Artie Shaw

– David Kaminsky became Danny Kaye

– Jacob Gershwine became George Gershwin

In Philip Roth’s Operation Shylock, the narrator observes, “God gave Moses the 10 Commandments, and He gave to Irving Berlin ‘Easter Parade’ and ‘White Christmas.’ The two holidays that celebrate the divinity of Christ – the divinity that’s the very heart of the Jewish rejection of Christianity – and what does Irving Berlin do? Easter he turns into a fashion show and Christmas into a holiday about snow.”

Dr. Joshua Jacobson is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Northeastern University and a Visiting Professor of Jewish Music at Hebrew College. He is also the founder and director of the Zamir Chorale of Boston, a world-renowned ensemble, specializing in Hebrew music.

American Jews were tremendously active in music in the first half of the 20th century.

According to a study of American musicians published in 1933, at a time when Jews comprised less than 4 percent of the total United States population, 36 percent of the players in American “amusement orchestras” were Jews. And in the string sections, the numbers were twice as high! In the world of arts and entertainment, superior talent sometimes overcame racial prejudice.

Irving Berlin (seated) with stars of the film “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” in 1938. (Wikimedia Commons)

Famous American Christmas Songs Written by Jews

– “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow” by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne

– “Silver Bells” by Livingston and Evans

– “The Christmas Song” (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) by Mel Torme

Famous Jewish Musicians Who Changed Their Names

– Hyman Arluck became Harold Arlen

– Izzy Baline became Irving Berlin

– Asa Yoelson became Al Jolson

– Avrohom Arshawsky became Artie Shaw

– David Kaminsky became Danny Kaye

– Jacob Gershwine became George Gershwin

In Philip Roth’s Operation Shylock, the narrator observes, “God gave Moses the 10 Commandments, and He gave to Irving Berlin ‘Easter Parade’ and ‘White Christmas.’ The two holidays that celebrate the divinity of Christ – the divinity that’s the very heart of the Jewish rejection of Christianity – and what does Irving Berlin do? Easter he turns into a fashion show and Christmas into a holiday about snow.”

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